Marhaba! If you have not already, tune in now and watch the many amazing athletes from around the world amicably contest in various competitions at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. It’s simply bedazzling and inspiring for any individual around the globe to watch these athletes push to the limit to win! The amount of time these athletes dedicate to reach the Olympics is fascinating. They spend years and thousands of hours practicing to compete in the hopes of bringing back the gold medal, or any medal.
Today I am sharing a news video from BBC Arabic on the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. In this video, you will learn some really fascinating facts about the Olympics, and you’ll catch small glimpses of the magnificent Opening Ceremony. The best part is that you will learn these facts in Arabic!
This is another listening comprehension exercise. After presenting the video, I have some questions for you to answer. I know that you’ve heard this over and over again, but reading and listening comprehension exercises are extremely important for practicing Arabic, and in time, can you help out massively in learning Arabic. It’s really important that you listen to native Arabic speakers discuss recent topics and happenings. Such an immersion into the Arabic language through listening comprehension exercises can help you to learn new words, which you can then use for improving your spoken and written skills. As always, I will give you all some time to work on your answers and then I will post the answers to the questions.
Questions:
1. How many years have passed since Russia last hosted the Olympics?
2. How much did the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi cost?
3. How is the Russian state dealing with the security issue at Sochi?
4. Why did President Putin refuse to light the Olympic flame himself?
5. How many athletes are the games hosting and from how many countries?
Salam everyone! Born as an American to two originally Arab parents, I have been raised and have spent most of my life in Beirut, Lebanon. I have lived my good times and my bad times in Beirut. I was but a young child when I had to learn to share my toys and food with others as we hid from bombs and fighting during the Lebanese Civil War. I feel my connection to Arabic as both a language and culture is severing and so it is with you, my readers and fellow Arabic lovers, and through you that I wish to reestablish this connection by creating one for you.
